Dialogic Reading: Asking “What” Questions

Reading picture books with your child is a great way to teach vocabulary and help your child tell more complete descriptions about what they see. Look through a book before you read it with our child for the first time. The first time you read a book together, you should do most of the talking yourself, making sure that you point out the names of things your child may not know. Try not to substitute for unfamiliar words, stop and talk about them instead.

The next time you read the same book, do the following for each of the pictures/objects you named when you and your child read the book the first time:

• Ask “what” questions:

Point to the item in the book and say, "What's this?" or "What's this called?"

Avoid questions that your child can answer with a "yes" or "no" or by pointing.

Also ask "Who" and "Where" questions and encourage your child to answer with

words instead of pointing.

• Follow answers with questions:

When your child names an object, ask a question about it. For example: "What

color is the truck?", "What is this part of the truck called?", "What is the dog

doing?", or "What do we use the bowl for?"

• Repeat what your child says:

Let your child know his or her answer is correct by repeating it back: "Yes, that

truck is blue."

• Help your child as needed:

If your child isn't able to answer your question, give the correct answer and ask

him or her to repeat what you have said.

• Praise and encourage:

Tell your child when he or she is doing well by saying things like: "Good talking!"

 or , "That's right. Good job!."

• Follow your child’s interests:

If your child shows an interest in a picture either by talking or pointing to it,

follow it up immediately by asking questions to let your child talk.

• Have fun!

Try to keep your reading times fun and like a game. One way to do this is to

switch between asking questions and just plain reading. For example, you could

read one page and then have your child tell you about the next page. Keep your

child's mood in mind. Keep it fun.

Check out this site for more activities

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